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"We're here. Goodbye."
An old man with wiry gray hair and a beard spoke gruffly.
"Thank you, Mr. Aberforth, thank you so much."
Severus Snape steadied himself, offering repeated thanks. He hadn't expected Aberforth Dumbledore to be the one escorting him back to Spinner's End.
After watching Aberforth vanish with a faint pop, Severus carried a large birdcage in one hand and a box of owl treats in the other, heading toward home.
Bang!
The moment Severus knocked once, the wooden door flew open.
Eileen stood in the doorway, her face etched with worry.
Severus quickly raised the birdcage. "Look, this is the finest screech owl from Eeylops Owl Emporium."
The owl, roused by the commotion, poked its head out from under its wing.
It flapped its feathers with a soft rustle, hooting at Eileen.
Eileen took the cage, a trace of concern lingering in her expression. "Are you alright? Last night, I got a letter from Dumbledore saying you had something to discuss."
"Oh, that." Severus set the box of treats on the table. "I ran into him in Diagon Alley, and we talked about future career options. I haven't decided what I want to do, so he suggested I think carefully about which N.E.W.T. subjects to take next term."
"It got late, so I stayed at the Leaky Cauldron." He yawned repeatedly. "Didn't sleep well, though—the bed was too hard."
"I need to catch a nap upstairs. See you later."
…
Tap, tap, tap.
Hearing a sound at the window, Severus looked up. An owl was pecking at the living room glass with its sharp beak.
He set down the box he was packing and hurried to open the window.
The owl swooped in, folded its wings, and landed gracefully on the wooden table, elegantly lifting its right leg.
Severus leaned forward, retrieving a large, square envelope from its claw. His name was written on it.
"Who's the letter from?" Eileen asked.
She held out a small handful of owl treats, offering them to the little messenger.
Severus tore open the envelope and unfolded the parchment inside.
"Oh… my O.W.L. results!"
Ordinary Wizarding Level Examination Results
Passing Grades: Outstanding (O); Exceeds Expectations (E); Acceptable (A)
Failing Grades: Poor (P); Dreadful (D); Troll (T)
Severus Snape's Results:
Astronomy: A
Care of Magical Creatures: E
Charms: O
Defense Against the Dark Arts: O
Divination: E
Study of Ancient Runes: O
Transfiguration: O
History of Magic: P
Herbology: O
Potions: O
He handed the parchment to Eileen. "Only History of Magic was a fail. I got six Outstandings!"
"I failed History of Magic too…" Eileen glanced at his results, a smile spreading across her face. "Well done, Severus, that's brilliant! Nine O.W.L.s passed. Let's go out for dinner tonight—this calls for a celebration."
Over the next few days, aside from flipping through a few old books he'd brought back, Severus slowly packed his belongings.
Eileen sometimes helped, but during the day, she was often out at the new house they'd bought. She refused to tell Severus where it was, insisting it would be a surprise.
Just before the start of term, Eileen finished setting up the new house.
"Everything packed? We can head over tomorrow!" Eileen closed the door, smiling at Severus.
Severus responded wearily, "I've been packed for ages. Still not telling me where we're going?"
"You'll see when we get there. You'll love it. We leave first thing tomorrow," Eileen said.
"Fine. I'm going for a walk."
Severus decided to take one last look around the place.
Crossing a rusty railing, he stepped into a playground bathed in the glow of the setting sun, a tall chimney looming on the distant horizon.
The playground was deserted. Weeds taller than his ankles sprouted through cracks in the asphalt, mingled with weathered plastic bags and scraps of paper.
Two dilapidated swings hung silently in the center.
Their seats had faded to a dull gray, the wooden surfaces splintered and cracked.
Only when a breeze passed did they creak faintly.
Severus wandered through the playground, then along a winding river through a small wood, letting his feet guide him.
"Good evening, Severus."
A greeting startled him, and he realized he'd walked to the Evans family's house without noticing.
"Er—good evening, Mr. Evans!"
Mr. Evans pushed his car door shut, looking as though he'd just returned from work.
"It's been a while. You've changed quite a bit, Severus."
"Um… Mr. Evans, is Lily home?" Severus asked.
"You're here for her? She's out of town with her mother, but Petunia's home," Mr. Evans said warmly.
"Petunia?" Severus suddenly wanted to see her. "Could I talk to her?"
"Of course, come in. I'll grab some food for you both!"
Mr. Evans opened the door and, before Severus could protest, drove off.
From the doorway, Severus could see Petunia sitting on the sofa, watching television.
"Petunia," he called.
Petunia turned toward the door.
Seeing Severus, she snapped off the TV and leapt up from the sofa.
"What are you doing here?!"
She shrieked, her face twisting with disgust.
"I'm sorry. I came to apologize for the past," Severus said.
He stopped walking.
"I don't need your apology!"
Petunia grabbed a book and hurled it at him.
Severus didn't dodge. The book's corner struck his forehead, and he swayed slightly.
Pages fluttered as a small gash opened on his forehead, blood trickling down.
A flicker of panic crossed Petunia's eyes. She stepped back, her clenched fists loosening.
"I'm sorry if this helps you feel better," Severus said calmly, though inwardly he smiled: if Petunia hadn't thrown it, this visit might have been pointless.
"Why didn't you dodge?!"
Petunia rushed to the kitchen, yanked a roll of gauze from a cabinet, and flung it at him.
"Thank you." Severus pressed the gauze to his wound, downplaying it. "It's just a scratch, don't worry."
"I have to apologize. I'm leaving Cokeworth tomorrow, moving far away."
"That has nothing to do with me!" Petunia snapped, her tone still harsh.
"You're right. I was a complete prat back then. I thought I was special, but I was just a foolish kid."
"I hit you with that branch, and I snooped on Dumbledore's letter to you." Seeing her face darken, he quickly added, "That was all my fault. I didn't consider how much it hurt you. I'm sorry."
The hum of a car engine came from the yard.
Severus pressed the gauze to his forehead and hurried outside. "I have to go. Can't let Mr. Evans see this. If he asks, just say I went home."
He paused. "And Lily's not a freak. She's your sister."
Petunia looked as though she'd just swallowed a whole lemon.
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